Honesdale owner charged after puppy dragged behind vehicle

Thursday

Feb 7, 2013 at 9:11 AMFeb 7, 2013 at 9:13 AM

Rebekah Brown

A Honesdale man has been charged with animal cruelty after his puppy was dragged behind his vehicle for more than a mile.

Peter Ivosevic, 71, of Honesdale, brought his approximately 4-month-old German Shepherd mix to the Dessin Animal Shelter on Monday with extensive injuries, including a nearly severed ear. He told Pennsylvania Humane Society police Officer Marlene Metzger, who is employed by Dessin, that it was an accident.

A cable tie connected the dog's collar to the bumper of his vehicle. Metzger said they were able to calculate how long the pup was dragged by inspecting blood in the road.

"I've never had an animal dragged by a vehicle before," said Metzger, who has worked as a Humane Society police officer for 13 years. "The injuries that this puppy sustained are quite substantial. No, he didn't die, which is wonderful, but these are definitely substantial injuries that should have and could have been prevented."

The puppy, named Dog, was taken to the Cherry Ridge Veterinary Clinic on Monday because his injuries were beyond what could be treated at the shelter. Dog underwent surgery to remove his ear, treat a severe head wound and other injuries.

"The prognosis is good," Metzger said. "The injuries were quite severe."She filed two counts of animal cruelty against Ivosevic on Wednesday. The magistrate will determine whether the puppy will be returned to Ivosevic. No court date has been set.